Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Scoring
Contents:
What information is included in the scores?
Raw score: This is the number of questions answered correctly.
Percentile ranking: This score indicates the relative standing of the student when compared to others of the same grade. Generally, mid range scores are more frequent than very high or very low scores.
Stanine: This score ranges from a low of 1 to a high of 9, with 1,2, and 3 representing below average performance; 4, 5, and 6 representing average; and 7, 8, and 9 considered above average.
Grade equivalent: This does not mean that a student has mastered all of the skills for that grade level. It only indicates that this child performs as well as an average child would score if taking the same test. For example, a child may take a 4th grade test but score at the grade equivalent level of 5th grade 4th month in Math. This means that is approximately how a student at the 5th grade 4th month level would be expected to score if taking the same test.
Scaled score (CAT Only): These represent units on a continuous scale ranging from 001 to 999, and are useful for showing growth and change within the same subject matter.
Standard Scores (WRAT only): Standard scores range from 55 to 145, with average test performance scoring 100 at each grade level. These scores are normalized and are useful for showing growth and change over time within the same subject matter.
Content Skills Performance Levels (WRAT only): These scores show how the student performed on broad categories of questions within a section. For each content area category, the number of questions answered correctly (Raw), the number of questions marked (Marked), and the total number of questions (Max) of that category will be given, along with a performance level showing how those scores compare to the national average. This performance level will either be Below Average, which corresponds to a Stanine of 1, 2, or 3; Average, a Stanine of 4, 5, or 6; or Above Average, a Stanine of 7, 8, or 9.
The reading section is either broken down into Basic Reading (Auditory Vocabulary, Reading Words, Reading Dictated Words and Reading Sentences) and Reading Comprehension (Reading Stories) or Literal Comprehension (Extracting stated information from the passage), Inferential Comprehension (Drawing conclusions from the passage), and Word Meaning in Context (Understanding the meaning of the word as it fits in the passage).
The Mathematics section is broken down into Concepts (Demonstrating understanding of mathematical principles), Problem Solving (Applications of Mathematical reasoning), and Operations/Numeration (Arithmetic and Estimation).
Nonverbal Reasoning is not broken down into content areas.
How long does it take to get the scores?
Scoring time depends upon the volume of tests being processed by our office. During the peak season – from March through June – scoring can take from 2 – 6 weeks. At other times, we can usually tabulate results within a few working days and then mail the scores to you. Updates are available from the "Status" page at our web site.
What if I need the results sooner?
FLO offers "Express Scoring" at a charge of $25. The staff strives to have the results ready to mail or FAX to you within 2 working days after receiving the completed tests. This service may be particularly relevant during the peak testing season from March through June. In the fall and winter months, the results are normally ready to mail within a few days, so no extra fee is required.
How do I interpret the scores?
Results are sent to you along with a cover letter explaining each category of scores: Raw Score (RS), Percentile Ranking (PR), Stanine (S), Grade Equivalency (GE), and Scaled or Standard Score (SS) and Content Skills Performance Levels.
Where are scores sent?
Scores will only be sent to the parents/guardians of the child tested unless a written request, signed by the parent, instructs us to do otherwise. FLO does not report any information to authorities or organizations without written consent of the parent.
What if I lose my copy of the scores?
Replacement scores are available by request at a charge of $8.
After returning test materials, how can I check on the status of my scores?
Updates are available from the "Status" page of our web site.
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